§ 10. Mr. Swinglerasked the Paymaster-General what progress has been made towards the establishment of a comprehensive industrial health service in the gas industry; and what central machinery exists to co-ordinate the work of the area medical officers.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Power (Mr. David Renton)Each gas board has established a service for its area in fulfilment of its statutory duty to safeguard the health of its employees, and I understand that medical officers from the boards meet at the Gas Council from time to time to discuss matters of common interest.
§ Mr. SwinglerDoes that Answer mean that all the gas boards now have some full-time medical service and that there exists some central machinery for co-ordinating the work?
§ Mr. RentonAll the gas hoards except two have full-time medical officers, and the two boards that have not full-time medical officers employ consultants and part-time practitioners locally; but the Gas Council is satisfied that the arrangements are working well.